Staff 9/6/21 Staff 9/6/21

Garner: Art Around Town

The Downtown Garner Association is pleased to present Art Around Town, a community-driven public art project that uses painting to illustrate community and natural beauty and bring joy, healing and civic engagement.

The original concept for Art Around Town was proposed by Lorie Clark, Cultural Arts & Events Manager for the Town of Garner at the Garner Performing Arts Center. In partnership with the Downtown Garner Association, Clark wants to create an opportunity for artists from all levels of mastery and different walks of life to create art that would uplift and bring the community together during a challenging time.

Since March, the DGA Arts Committee has been working with Clark and community artists to bring the project to life. Following a call for artists in May, selected artists received materials and stipends to paint concepts inspired by Garner’s natural beauty and community values. The artists has one month to paint a 3’x4′ plywood canvas, which was then sealed for outdoor display.

This year’s exhibit features 23 canvases painted by artists from Garner and Raleigh on display from mid-August through November. The artwork is displayed outdoors in Downtown Garner and at select park locations for 24/7 viewing on a walkable loop. Coming out of a year of quarantining and isolation, the Downtown Garner Association wanted to create an exhibit that could be accessible to all despite any COVID restrictions.

“Public art is a priority in our economic development strategy for Downtown Garner,” said Mari Howe, downtown development manager for the Town of Garner. “The Downtown Garner Association knows the power of art to create a sense of community, to empower people, and to inspire pride in Garner. We wanted to find a way to support artists and raise awareness of Garner’s arts community. Art Around Town has been a great pilot program for doing both of those things.”

At the end of the exhibit, the Downtown Garner Association will auction the artwork, with 75 percent of the profit going to the original artist. The auction will take place online in late November–more details coming soon!

For more information about Art Around Town, please contact Mari Howe at mhowe@garnernc.gov.a

Learn More About The Artists

Staff 5/1/21 Staff 5/1/21

CALLING ALL ARTISTS FOR ART AROUND TOWN

Art Around Town is a community art project for the residents of Garner and artists from surrounding areas to participate in a temporary art exhibit that will illustrate community and natural beauty and bring joy, healing, and civic engagement.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Downtown Garner Association (DGA) and the Town of Garner are looking for local and regional visual artists to participate in an outdoor Art Around Garner art installation beginning August – October 2021.

Artists will be required to submit their “Art Around Garner” idea, concept, or theme of painting at the time of application.
DGA will hold an artists interest meeting on May 13 at 6:30pm via Zoom.
Twenty local and regional artists will be selected to participate.*
$50-100 material stipends are available upon request.
Artists will be notified if their artwork is accepted and where it will be located.
Painting must be completed by July 1.
*This is not a juried exhibit; however, artwork not consistent with the theme will not be accepted.

SPECS & INSTALLATION

Artists will be provided with a 3′ x 4′ board to paint. Acrylic paint is recommended and pieces will be varnished by the exhibit coordinators to be weather safe.

The art will be on display August through October 2021 at the following proposed pedestrian-friendly locations including Town Hall, Garner Senior Center, Garner Rec Center (GRC), Garner Performing Arts Center, and other locations around downtown and town parks.

AUCTION

Upon completion of the exhibit, the art will be auctioned with 75% of the proceeds going to the respective artists and 25% to DGA to benefit future art projects throughout the Town of Garner.
The exact time, location and date of auction is yet to be determined but anticipated for November 2021.